Our knowledge of the results of valve replacement surgery only dates back to the 1960s when valve surgery began. It must be said that there is no perfect artificial heart valve. However, the long-term results are excellent. Only a minority of patients (around 20% to 25%) will require reoperation within 10 to 12 years of … Read more
There are two main types of artificial heart valves used by surgeons. (a) Tissue heart valves. -These valves are constructed using natural biological tissue. The tissue is often animal tissue treated with a substance which preserves the tissue and makes it impossible for the patient’s body to reject the new valve. (b) Prosthetic heart valves. … Read more
In valve operations the surgeon approaches the heart through an incision made in the front of the chest. The breast-bone (sternum) is cut lengthwise giving good access to the heart which lies in the centre of the chest cavity. During the main part of the operation when the heart itself is being operated upon, it … Read more
The heart acts basically as a pump, pumping the blood around the body. Within the heart are four valves which ensure that the flow of blood is unrestricted and one way. Heart valves may become damaged or diseased so that the normal function is disturbed. Diseased valves may obstruct the flow of blood (valve stenosis) … Read more
The great majority of adults who are advised to have heart operations are suffering from disease of the heart valves or of the coronary arteries or both. A smaller number have heart defects present since birth (congenital defects). This chapter will give details on the two major groups, that is, heart valve surgery and coronary … Read more
ACE INHIBITORS: (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) – Drugs which block the formation of angiotensin-a natural substance which causes narrowing of blood vessels, especially in the kidney. These drugs are used to treat high blood pressure or heart failure. ANEURYSM-Ballooning out from a weak spot in the arterial wall or the heart wall. ANGINA-Literally means a choking … Read more
The normal heart-beat is initiated by a signal from the pacemaker cells in the heart which is very rapidly conducted over the whole heart so that its billions of muscle cells get the message simultaneously and contract collectively to provide an effective heart-beat. The conducting pathways can, however, become diseased. The heart may then beat … Read more
Heart failure is the term used to describe the state of a patient whose heart is not pumping adequately. The consequences of this is the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary congestion or oedema) or in the legs (ankle oedema). Some diseases directly weaken the strength of the heart muscle. This condition is called … Read more
Congenital defects are malformations of the heart or major blood vessels which are caused by abnormal development of the fetus and which are present at birth. Some are the consequences of German measles (Rubella) or exposure to chemical poisons during pregnancy. The most common defects are holes in the wall dividing the right side from … Read more
One or other of the one-way valves in the heart may become diseased so that it does not fully open (stenosis) or does not fully close (incompetence or regurgitation). The heart has to pump harder to eject blood through a stenosed valve, or it has to pump twice as much blood out if half of … Read more